Comparison between cylindrical model and experimental observation on the study of resistive wall mode in reversed field pinch plasmas

A cylindrical magnetohydrodynamic model including plasma pressure and longitudinal flow has been employed for the study of resistive wall mode (RWM) in reversed field pinch (RFP) plasmas. In order to validate the model, a careful comparison with the experimental measurements in RFX-mod [P. Sonato et al, Fusion Eng. Des. 66-68, 161 (2003)] on the mode growth rates has been made by well matching the equilibrium parameters F, Theta, and beta(p). The RWM instability spectrum, which varies with the equilibrium parameters, is also calculated for comparison. The sensitivity of the mode growth rate to the equilibrium parameters is studied in details. It is concluded that the model can provide consistent accuracy in studies of RWM in RFP plasmas. The analysis based on the balance of the potential energy components has been carried out in order to obtain the physical understanding on the mode behavior. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3389229]